MIKE GORDON

Artwork by this artist ranges between £3,000 - £8,000. Please contact the artist directly, or Artist Talk for more information.

I’m a self-taught artist based in Philly working in cybersecurity by day.

I devote a substantial amount of time to my real passion though, art. I loved to doodle as a kid, and won several competitions in elementary school, but sadly, got away from it as I got older.

In May 2022, I decided to get back into art and within 12 months I sold several works of art, which was on display at the Pancakes and Booze International Art Pop-up Show, and will be on exhibit with The Holy Art Gallery’s Art on Loop in Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris this Summer. Additionally, I’ll be on exhibit with Teravarna Contemporary Art Gallery and Laguna Art Gallery.

My paintings are a unique twist on the traditional Japanese marbling technique, “Suminagashi.”

I was struck by the whimsical and vibrant nature of the style. Literally, the word means “ink floating.” Swirling patterns, like those found in natural marble stone, can be created by dropping ink or paint on the surface of water and then placing paper on top to lift the ink. The difference here is that I’m using the technique to create form and figure directly on canvas instead of water. Within each square inch on the canvas is entropy in action. Each block of marbling captures a unique moment in time frozen in vivid swirling hues that dance and dazzle the eye of the viewer. Perspective is an integral aspect of these pieces.

Up close, the marbling itself is primarily visible; from a distance, however, the form and figure take shape. Using a mixture of acrylic paint and retardant to extend the working time, I lay the color down in shapes to form the figure. It’s truly a race against the clock and time is not my friend!

From the moment I begin to pipette the paint onto the canvas, I have to work quickly to complete the pieces or else the paint becomes tacky and unworkable. If the paint is too thin, it doesn’t hold form; too thick, the marbling effect won’t be achievable. It’s a game of ratios...and plenty of trial and error.

Marbling has been a fun endeavor into the world of color for me. I get a kick out of seeing what can be achieved in just a few hours. I find the whole process highly mediative as it allows me to quiet an otherwise chatty mind.

DISCOVER MORE Instagram: @m_gordo2